Current Season Void Or Continue

Chester Perry · Post by **Chester Perry** » Tue May 05, 2020 5:43 pm

Swizzlestick wrote: ↑
Tue May 05, 2020 11:29 am
Utterly ridiculous.

I think it was an attempt to distract from this mornings DCMS hearing where Rick Parry spoke and has taken most of the headlines since

Paul Waine · Post by **Paul Waine** » Tue May 05, 2020 8:33 pm

corporal jones wrote: ↑
Tue May 05, 2020 12:20 pm
all this mounting panic is because of the financial hit that football is staring at if we don't play again soon-why is it a big hit? because of the ludicrous contracts that the players are on. Why can we and they all see sense and cut all monies to all players affected at all levels by 50% until we can play again. If that takes players at lower levels to below 2500 then that can be furloughed. The rest will survive and not starve. If they refuse then footballers are going to find them selves without a club at all, either through clubs going bust or players out of contract not being picked up.

It will all get sorted quickly; Sky and BT have said that they will want their £750 million back if the Premier League isn't played to conclusion with 3 clubs relegated at the end of the season. That's what they pay the tv money for, to watch the teams scrambling to avoid relegation.

I guess, if we think about it, it's the same reason that "Who wants to be a Millionaire" was/is a hit tv show, because we all like to see someone losing a lot of money.

Those Romans were on to something with their "gladiator games."

TVC15 · Post by **TVC15** » Tue May 05, 2020 8:42 pm

Paul Waine wrote: ↑
Tue May 05, 2020 8:33 pm
It will all get sorted quickly; Sky and BT have said that they will want their £750 million back if the Premier League isn't played to conclusion with 3 clubs relegated at the end of the season. That's what they pay the tv money for, to watch the teams scrambling to avoid relegation.

I guess, if we think about it, it's the same reason that "Who wants to be a Millionaire" was/is a hit tv show, because we all like to see someone losing a lot of money.

Those Romans were on to something with their "gladiator games."

Have Sky and BT really said that Paul ?
If so wow - they must have watertight contracts if they are saying this....plus the overseas TV companies must surely have had similar contracts with Murdoch involved in a number of these.
Haven’t looked back on all of the thread - has a link been posted with a statement from Sky and BT ?

UnderSeige · Post by **UnderSeige** » Tue May 05, 2020 9:13 pm

TVC15 wrote: ↑
Tue May 05, 2020 8:42 pm
Have Sky and BT really said that Paul ?
If so wow - they must have watertight contracts if they are saying this....plus the overseas TV companies must surely have had similar contracts with Murdoch involved in a number of these.
Haven’t looked back on all of the thread - has a link been posted with a statement from Sky and BT ?

The following is a link about it but it is over a month old:
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/ ... s-18034692

Dyched · Post by **Dyched** » Tue May 05, 2020 9:19 pm

Paul Waine wrote: ↑
Tue May 05, 2020 8:33 pm
It will all get sorted quickly; Sky and BT have said that they will want their £750 million back if the Premier League isn't played to conclusion with 3 clubs relegated at the end of the season. That's what they pay the tv money for, to watch the teams scrambling to avoid relegation.

I guess, if we think about it, it's the same reason that "Who wants to be a Millionaire" was/is a hit tv show, because we all like to see someone losing a lot of money.

Those Romans were on to something with their "gladiator games."

I don’t think sky/bt or the foreign networks won’t take anything away. If they do it’d be the start of a netflix type PL service that will destroy both sky and bt.

Chester Perry · Post by **Chester Perry** » Tue May 05, 2020 9:21 pm

The single most notable feature of the football shutdown in England is that there has been no official statement from the domestic broadcasters beyond what their customers can do in regard to their subscriptions,

Sky still have around £350m of games still to be played in the Premier League
BT still have around £50m of games still to be played in the Premier League

It has been reported that both have the competitive element of relegation in their contracts because it makes the games more appetising to potential viewers/subscribers driving up viewer numbers and those numbers also help with advertising revenues - so that makes sense

the other £360m or so of remaining broadcast rights are split between oversees broadcasters and the BBC for highlights and radio, also talksport for radio

NewClaret · Post by **NewClaret** » Tue May 05, 2020 10:06 pm

Chester Perry wrote: ↑
Tue May 05, 2020 9:21 pm
The single most notable feature of the football shutdown in England is that there has been no official statement from the domestic broadcasters beyond what their customers can do in regard to their subscriptions,

Sky still have around £350m of games still to be played in the Premier League
BT still have around £50m of games still to be played in the Premier League

It has been reported that both have the competitive element of relegation in their contracts because it makes the games more appetising to potential viewers/subscribers driving up viewer numbers and those numbers also help with advertising revenues - so that makes sense

the other £360m or so of remaining broadcast rights are split between oversees broadcasters and the BBC for highlights and radio, also talksport for radio

Interesting, thanks.

Bosscat · Post by **Bosscat** » Tue May 05, 2020 11:07 pm

Taken from the Lancashire Blackburnegraphs copy'n'paste Journalism

Government ministers are looking into the feasibility of sports being played behind closed doors as part of the "second phase" of the response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Foreign secretary Dominic Raab said the return of the Premier League would "lift the spirits of the nation" and confirmed officials are working on a plan to include a return of sport in the early stages of the recovery.

Raab's comments came after EFL chairman Rick Parry warned the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee that the 71 clubs in his competition were staring into a £200million black hole.

Raab said: "I think people would like to see us get back not just to work and get to a stage where children can safely return to school, but also enjoy some of those pastimes, sporting in particular.

"I know that the Government has had constructive meetings with sports bodies to plan for athletes to resume training when it's safe to do so.

"I can tell you that the Culture Secretary (Oliver Dowden) has also been working on a plan to get sports played behind closed doors when we move to the second phase, that's something I can tell you we're looking at."

Premier League officials are looking into various potential ways to resume and complete the current season, but players have reportedly expressed caution over the desire to schedule a return.

Meetings are due to take place next week at which medical specialists will outline safety protocols to players and managers.

And Raab admitted there are too many unpredictable elements to be able to say for certain in what form sports will be able to resume - and at what point fans will be allowed back into arenas in significant numbers.

He added: "I can't look too far into the future because there are various different ways we can get control of the virus permanently, defeat it for good - a vaccine is certainly one of those and therapeutics are another.

"I think, we are all waiting to see how effective internationally test, tracking and tracing can be - I think that is also an option.

"Whether it is a combination of test, tracking and tracing and other social distancing measures within what is possible within a sporting environment, we want to see whether behind closed doors (is an option).

"So I think it is worth taking a close look at that, seeing whether it is possible to do it safely but as ever taking the scientific and medical advice as to when and how to proceed."

Chester Perry · Post by **Chester Perry** » Tue May 05, 2020 11:13 pm

There is also the fear in some boardrooms that those clubs who are fighting relegation will encourage their players and staff to speak out about the morality and/or safety concerns of the return to playing, even to refuse to play in an effort to void/cancel the season, It will be interesting to count how many such reports you see in the media - in the last couple of hours I have seen new articles on the subject featuring Daniel Farke (Norwich), Dean Smith (Aston Villa) and Manuel Lanzini (West Ham) - Glenn Murray (Brighton) has been quite vocal about it recently, Brighton have been very vocal on the neutral ground issue too.

Chester Perry · Post by **Chester Perry** » Tue May 05, 2020 11:19 pm

wrong thread

Paul Waine · Post by **Paul Waine** » Tue May 05, 2020 11:31 pm

TVC15 wrote: ↑
Tue May 05, 2020 8:42 pm
Have Sky and BT really said that Paul ?
If so wow - they must have watertight contracts if they are saying this....plus the overseas TV companies must surely have had similar contracts with Murdoch involved in a number of these.
Haven’t looked back on all of the thread - has a link been posted with a statement from Sky and BT ?

Quoting a paragraph from The Times today:

Headline: Some Premier League matches could be shown on YouTube

"Senior figures in the broadcasting industry have also told The Times that moves to scrap relegation — as at least one top-flight club is proposing — would risk making the TV contracts invalid as it would turn many of the remaining games into little more than meaningless friendlies. With Liverpool 25 points clear at the top of the league and needing just two wins to be confirmed as champions, that may also mean that many games become superfluous."

The "millionaire" comparison is my reference, just in case anyone doesn't think there's a difference between watching "nothing to play for/friendlies" and "relegation 6-pointers."

diamondpocket · Post by **diamondpocket** » Wed May 06, 2020 9:37 am

BBC has a decent article today highlighting the difficulty in getting professional sport back up & running.

FWIW, i think this season can only be classed as void. Whatever changes are made, there is always going to be the question of integrity. Finishing a season after a 3/4 month break is like starting a new season and cannot be considered the same competition as before especially as it is the crucial part of the season with everything riding on these games (Europe, relegation). The most sensible thing to do is to void it and start putting in place the necessary measures for a new season. Even if that means starting behind closed doors in September, October, November, whenever. This means no relegation, no promotion and we start off again with a clean slate. There's going to have to be concessions from clubs, players, TV companies, organisations, everyone but it's for a greater good; to get football back safely and to save football at a lower level. Players can then sort out contracts at the end of June. And the TV deals can start being done for next year so that money is taken into the budgets. Clubs may actually have to start living within their means and look at our approach to running a club. I doubt it very much but it should.
Nobody could ever have predicted this, it is unprecedented. And has highlighted the fragility in which we live. There is more to life than making money & profits.

nyclaret · Post by **nyclaret** » Wed May 06, 2020 10:13 am

Honest statement and assessment of the current situation football (and non league especially) is facing from Boreham Wood chairman:

https://www.borehamwoodfootballclub.co ... -hunter-3/

UnderSeige · Post by **UnderSeige** » Wed May 06, 2020 10:19 am

Foreign secretary Dominic Raab said the return of the Premier League would "lift the spirits of the nation" and confirmed officials are working on a plan to include a return of sport in the early stages of the recovery.

It would certainly lift the spirits of a number of football fans. I think many fans will be anticipating the startup of 'Pandemic behind closed doors football'. I think that there will be a number of 'get togethers' in private houses all over the country to watch the matches. There would be plenty of beer from the local supermarket. Fans would be able to see their mates and forget the pandemic for two or three hours.

This would not be a bad thing from a moral boosting point of view but i'm not sure if it would help defeat the pandemic.

Winstonswhite · Post by **Winstonswhite** » Wed May 06, 2020 10:32 am

With the Bundesliga looking like it’s resuming on the 15th of May, I can’t see the Premier League pulling the plug on the season. Money talks and I think it’s inevitable that the season will continue probably mid June. Hopefully relegation will apply as it’s pretty pointless otherwise. I can’t wait personally.

Chester Perry · Post by **Chester Perry** » Wed May 06, 2020 10:36 am

Winstonswhite wrote: ↑
Wed May 06, 2020 10:32 am
With the Bundesliga looking like it’s resuming on the 15th of May, I can’t see the Premier League pulling the plug on the season. Money talks and I think it’s inevitable that the season will continue probably mid June. Hopefully relegation will apply as it’s pretty pointless otherwise. I can’t wait personally.

pushed back to at least the 22nd May now

TVC15 · Post by **TVC15** » Wed May 06, 2020 10:40 am

Chester Perry wrote: ↑
Wed May 06, 2020 10:36 am
pushed back to at least the 22nd May now

Is that dependent on any further criteria being met by the 22nd do you know ?

Chester Perry · Post by **Chester Perry** » Wed May 06, 2020 10:42 am

Chester Perry wrote: ↑
Tue May 05, 2020 11:13 pm
There is also the fear in some boardrooms that those clubs who are fighting relegation will encourage their players and staff to speak out about the morality and/or safety concerns of the return to playing, even to refuse to play in an effort to void/cancel the season, It will be interesting to count how many such reports you see in the media - in the last couple of hours I have seen new articles on the subject featuring Daniel Farke (Norwich), Dean Smith (Aston Villa) and Manuel Lanzini (West Ham) - Glenn Murray (Brighton) has been quite vocal about it recently, Brighton have been very vocal on the neutral ground issue too.

Christian Purslow the Villa Chief exec - does not like neutral grounds and against relegation if season not completed - the reason - it could cost the club around £200m - at least he is up front about it

https://twitter.com/JasonBourne1986/sta ... 6350912514

UnderSeige · Post by **UnderSeige** » Wed May 06, 2020 10:52 am

A Positive Scenario

The Oxford Vaccine Project in conjunction with AstraZenica have stated that there is around 80% chance of a vaccine by the fourth quarter of this year. If this happens, vaccinations should be starting October-Novemberish.

Assuming that all goes well with the vaccine, footballers and other staff could be given first priority for receiving the vaccine along with health care workers, carers etc. There are not very many football staff as a percentage of the whole population and it would be much less taxing on NHS resources than the resources (testing, masks etc.)that would be required for playing 'behind closed doors' without the vaccine. This could also be done for soap opera stars.

Once vaccinated, footballers could then start proper training. 'Behind closed doors football' would not be a problem apart from being rubbish. It could be used as a form of pre-season friendlies and completing the last season in one - hopefully completed before the New Year. By early New Year the vaccination of the whole population would be well underway. We can then start proper attended matches with fans, beer, the elderly, the disabled, hamburger vans, bars and the whole caboodle.

Fans would most probably have to provide the club with a 'proof of vaccination' before their season ticket is activated.

At the start of the New Year the season could begin minus Cup competitions, European competitions and international breaks. Hopefully we could complete the season and allow a short break for the Euro's in the summer but it would be a bit of a pinch. There would have to be a lot of midweek matches.

CrosspoolClarets · Post by **CrosspoolClarets** » Wed May 06, 2020 10:52 am

When Sky were taken over by Comcast they declared a strategy to grow elements of the business like Sky Q. They also had more creditors than tangible assets, basically meaning they owed more than they held in the short term (and would thus seem vulnerable to subscriptions drying up while still paying football clubs).

So I can’t see any way that the Premier League can’t finish the season, pay player wages and stay solvent. Sky would seem certain to play hardball, they cannot afford to bleed subscribers who may then need a great 18 month offer to recontract later.

So I agree with Palace’s Steve Parish in the papers today. The current season has to be continued, even if it looks daft when a physio runs on in full PPE to treat a player feigning injury after a dive.

Sky and BT will then simply be hoping that the inevitable drop in subscribers is minimised, but I suspect the gravy train is beginning to leave both their stations, and the PL clubs too.

Chester Perry · Post by **Chester Perry** » Wed May 06, 2020 11:06 am

CrosspoolClarets wrote: ↑
Wed May 06, 2020 10:52 am
When Sky were taken over by Comcast they declared a strategy to grow elements of the business like Sky Q. They also had more creditors than tangible assets, basically meaning they owed more than they held in the short term (and would thus seem vulnerable to subscriptions drying up while still paying football clubs).

So I can’t see any way that the Premier League can’t finish the season, pay player wages and stay solvent. Sky would seem certain to play hardball, they cannot afford to bleed subscribers who may then need a great 18 month offer to recontract later.

So I agree with Palace’s Steve Parish in the papers today. The current season has to be continued, even if it looks daft when a physio runs on in full PPE to treat a player feigning injury after a dive.

Sky and BT will then simply be hoping that the inevitable drop in subscribers is minimised, but I suspect the gravy train is beginning to leave both their stations, and the PL clubs too.

posted a bit about Sky and Comcast on the MMT thread over the last few days - Premier League will be getting twitchy about what Comcast are trying to do with the American sports whose rights they hold, despite the reassuring noises that Sky have been making about European sports.

For the sake of clarity, as well as Sky, Comcast also own NBC Sports who have the American rights for the Premier League

Winstonswhite · Post by **Winstonswhite** » Wed May 06, 2020 12:09 pm

TVC15 wrote: ↑
Wed May 06, 2020 10:40 am
Is that dependent on any further criteria being met by the 22nd do you know ?

The squads have to self isolate for two weeks before it can resume. Makes sense.

https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/footba ... 32871.html

TVC15 · Post by **TVC15** » Wed May 06, 2020 12:21 pm

Winstonswhite wrote: ↑
Wed May 06, 2020 12:09 pm
The squads have to self isolate for two weeks before it can resume. Makes sense.

https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/footba ... 32871.html

Cheers - I was thinking more whether the country as a whole were waiting for certain targets to me met on new cases etc.
If it’s just the self isolation then it’s looking pretty positive.

Chester Perry · Post by **Chester Perry** » Wed May 06, 2020 12:23 pm

Chester Perry wrote: ↑
Tue May 05, 2020 11:13 pm
There is also the fear in some boardrooms that those clubs who are fighting relegation will encourage their players and staff to speak out about the morality and/or safety concerns of the return to playing, even to refuse to play in an effort to void/cancel the season, It will be interesting to count how many such reports you see in the media - in the last couple of hours I have seen new articles on the subject featuring Daniel Farke (Norwich), Dean Smith (Aston Villa) and Manuel Lanzini (West Ham) - Glenn Murray (Brighton) has been quite vocal about it recently, Brighton have been very vocal on the neutral ground issue too.

spelt out quite clearly in this thread

https://twitter.com/RorySmith/status/12 ... 6392241153

Chester Perry · Post by **Chester Perry** » Wed May 06, 2020 12:26 pm

Winstonswhite wrote: ↑
Wed May 06, 2020 12:09 pm
The squads have to self isolate for two weeks before it can resume. Makes sense.

https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/footba ... 32871.html

changed wording - might be back to one week isolation now - the power of money?

https://twitter.com/honigstein/status/1 ... 1617379331

diamondpocket · Post by **diamondpocket** » Wed May 06, 2020 12:46 pm

nyclaret wrote: ↑
Wed May 06, 2020 10:13 am
Honest statement and assessment of the current situation football (and non league especially) is facing from Boreham Wood chairman:

https://www.borehamwoodfootballclub.co ... -hunter-3/

Great read

Spijed · Post by **Spijed** » Wed May 06, 2020 2:12 pm

Bundesliga been given green light to resume.

Bordeauxclaret · Post by **Bordeauxclaret** » Wed May 06, 2020 2:23 pm

Ups the pressure on the Premier League a little bit.

Spijed · Post by **Spijed** » Wed May 06, 2020 2:24 pm

Bordeauxclaret wrote: ↑
Wed May 06, 2020 2:23 pm
Ups the pressure on the Premier League a little bit.

And makes you wonder why the Dutch, Belgium & French leagues packed in so soon.

Elizabeth · Post by **Elizabeth** » Wed May 06, 2020 2:29 pm

Government support is the key

Ironically though, as things are up in the air, it is still possible we could get the support of the government but the cancellation of the league.

Spijed · Post by **Spijed** » Wed May 06, 2020 2:46 pm

I cant see the government refusing at all.

Somethingfishy · Post by **Somethingfishy** » Wed May 06, 2020 3:38 pm

I'm more than a little puzzled as to this determination that it has to be a neutral venue. The reasoning is some stadiums (presuming the Turf is one of them) are in densely populated areas.

Why is this an issue if it is behind closed doors? Everyone needed will presumably arrive in cars. The Turf for example can be locked down as it is gated on both the cricket field entrance on Belvedere Road and the entrance to the car park by the club shop. The James Hargreaves car park becomes an enclosed safe area.

Is it really because they are worried at crowds gathering? Who in their right mind will go and stand on Harry Potts way while a game is on? What would they gain from it especially when it is likely it will be being broadcast? Could teh police not handle any numpty who does turn up and fine them in the same way they do when catching people breaking the lockdown?
If Liverpool are at home when they clinch the title would the crowds gathering outside be any different if they were at a neutral venue? It would still attract the numpties wanting to celebrate no matter what.

Another interesting point is say Man City is a ground used...do they get to play their games at their stadium? That would be incredibly unfair if other teams can't.

I'm sorry i just don't see why clubs can't play games at home.

KateR · Post by **KateR** » Wed May 06, 2020 3:43 pm

some good overall data around PL clubs/finances and who will be hurt most from loss of actual match day revenues due to playing behind closed doors.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/52529679

Germany saying shops and football can resume

dsr · Post by **dsr** » Wed May 06, 2020 3:51 pm

Somethingfishy wrote: ↑
Wed May 06, 2020 3:38 pm
I'm more than a little puzzled as to this determination that it has to be a neutral venue. The reasoning is some stadiums (presuming the Turf is one of them) are in densely populated areas.

Why is this an issue if it is behind closed doors? Everyone needed will presumably arrive in cars. The Turf for example can be locked down as it is gated on both the cricket field entrance on Belvedere Road and the entrance to the car park by the club shop. The James Hargreaves car park becomes an enclosed safe area.

Is it really because they are worried at crowds gathering? Who in their right mind will go and stand on Harry Potts way while a game is on? What would they gain from it especially when it is likely it will be being broadcast? Could teh police not handle any numpty who does turn up and fine them in the same way they do when catching people breaking the lockdown?
If Liverpool are at home when they clinch the title would the crowds gathering outside be any different if they were at a neutral venue? It would still attract the numpties wanting to celebrate no matter what.

Another interesting point is say Man City is a ground used...do they get to play their games at their stadium? That would be incredibly unfair if other teams can't.

I'm sorry i just don't see why clubs can't play games at home.

Two reasons for neutral grounds.
1. Stop fans congregating.
2. Social isolation isn't possible in some grounds - have you seen the size of our away dressing room?

It has already been said that all teams will play at neutral grounds; if the Etihad is used, it won't be for Man City games.

Rowls · Post by **Rowls** » Wed May 06, 2020 3:58 pm

Great news about the Bundesliga

Chester Perry · Post by **Chester Perry** » Wed May 06, 2020 4:16 pm

Rowls wrote: ↑
Wed May 06, 2020 3:58 pm
Great news about the Bundesliga

if you are the Premier League, La Liga or Serie A it gives some weight to the argument that you can restart too - though they get the opportunity to be broadcast around the world as the only big league in operation for a few weeks at least, perhaps stealing some of your audience in the longer term.

If you are a league from the other European countries it just means more tv money going abroad, to an already wealthy (comparatively) rather than to your league

Spijed · Post by **Spijed** » Wed May 06, 2020 5:13 pm

Wonder how much of an issue it is regarding neutral grounds and the PL not re-starting?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52558225

UnderSeige · Post by **UnderSeige** » Wed May 06, 2020 8:32 pm

It only needs one of those six clubs to break ranks and the issue will be gone.

A cynical way of looking at it could be that those six clubs would rather have the season voided full stop This is so that they can be in the Premier league next season. I am not sure what such an outcome would do to their finances in the meantime though.

tiger76 · Post by **tiger76** » Wed May 06, 2020 8:57 pm

UnderSeige wrote: ↑
Wed May 06, 2020 8:32 pm
It only needs one of those six clubs to break ranks and the issue will be gone.

A cynical way of looking at it could be that those six clubs would rather have the season voided full stop This is so that they can be in the Premier league next season. I am not sure what such an outcome would do to their finances in the meantime though.

That's exactly how i read their intentions,get the whole thing voided,no promotion/no relegation,it might hit them in the pocket short-term,but preserving their PL status will be a bigger net benefit in the long run,the problem the 6 rebels have is how do they persuade 1 other of the 14 to join them,the teams at the top will want the season concluded for various reasons,Liverpool to seal the title,and several others who will harbour hopes of a European place,and the mid-ranking sides like ourselves,Everton,Palace who have an outside shot at Europe,will want the season finished to guarantee TV money,which they've all presumably budgeted for already,it's just possible that Newcastle or Southampton could have their arms twisted,neither are 100% safe yet,but apart from those 2 i don't see what the other 12 have to gain by scrapping the season.

dsr · Post by **dsr** » Wed May 06, 2020 9:03 pm

Current suggestions are that if the season ends now, promotion and relegation is based on current positions. That should bring Norwich, Villa and Bournemouth into the "carry on" camp.

Bordeauxclaret · Post by **Bordeauxclaret** » Wed May 06, 2020 9:10 pm

I’d like to see the amount of crying Villa fans would do on that with their game in hand.

It wouldn’t be as much as they cry about Ben Mee but it would be close.

Somethingfishy · Post by **Somethingfishy** » Wed May 06, 2020 9:13 pm

dsr wrote: ↑
Wed May 06, 2020 3:51 pm
Two reasons for neutral grounds.
1. Stop fans congregating.
2. Social isolation isn't possible in some grounds - have you seen the size of our away dressing room?

It has already been said that all teams will play at neutral grounds; if the Etihad is used, it won't be for Man City games.

1. How many are going to congregate? Really? What would be the point? They cant see anything..there would be no idea from outside what was going on inside. The few that do I'm sure could easily be moved along/fined if refusing. The only difference is if there was something to celebrate like Liverpool. Even then chances are some would congregate whether there was a game on or not at Anfield when the title was clinched.

2. Why would being close together in a dressing room matter when they will all be in close proximity with each other and the other team on the pitch? Or is there to be no physical contact/tackling? Do they employ 2m on the pitch? That will be interesting...well it won't actually. They will have all been tested for the virus before playing anyway.

I still think it is an unneccessary precaution and is just giving teams like Brighton an excuse to try and void the season. Lets face it they will try any route with the trouble they are in and the fixtures they have remaining.

dougcollins · Post by **dougcollins** » Wed May 06, 2020 9:37 pm

Just play all the remaining games on Sensible Soccer. I'll volunteer.

Chester Perry · Post by **Chester Perry** » Wed May 06, 2020 9:51 pm

Apparently the Burnley squad voted yes to restart - in an anonymised poll - every single one of them

https://inews.co.uk/sport/football/prem ... us-2845034

Spijed · Post by **Spijed** » Wed May 06, 2020 9:52 pm

Apparently one manager who doesn't want the league restarting is David Moyes.

No surprise from someone who is a bit of failure.

Chester Perry · Post by **Chester Perry** » Wed May 06, 2020 9:57 pm

Chester Perry wrote: ↑
Wed May 06, 2020 9:51 pm
Apparently the Burnley squad voted yes to restart - in an anonymised poll - every single one of them

https://inews.co.uk/sport/football/prem ... us-2845034

given that Sean has been talking about it for a while - perhaps not that surprising

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1L8SqPm0o3s

Chester Perry · Post by **Chester Perry** » Wed May 06, 2020 9:59 pm

Spijed wrote: ↑
Wed May 06, 2020 9:52 pm
Apparently one manager who doesn't want the league restarting is David Moyes.

No surprise from someone who is a bit of failure.

as I posted yesterday

Chester Perry wrote: ↑
Tue May 05, 2020 11:13 pm
There is also the fear in some boardrooms that those clubs who are fighting relegation will encourage their players and staff to speak out about the morality and/or safety concerns of the return to playing, even to refuse to play in an effort to void/cancel the season, It will be interesting to count how many such reports you see in the media - in the last couple of hours I have seen new articles on the subject featuring Daniel Farke (Norwich), Dean Smith (Aston Villa) and Manuel Lanzini (West Ham) - Glenn Murray (Brighton) has been quite vocal about it recently, Brighton have been very vocal on the neutral ground issue too.

JohnDearyMe · Post by **JohnDearyMe** » Wed May 06, 2020 10:04 pm

No surprise that the government are keen to get the season restarted given the worsening coverage they are getting

dsr · Post by **dsr** » Wed May 06, 2020 10:41 pm

Chester Perry wrote: ↑
Wed May 06, 2020 9:51 pm
Apparently the Burnley squad voted yes to restart - in an anonymised poll - every single one of them

https://inews.co.uk/sport/football/prem ... us-2845034

Sean Dyche tries not to sign the type of player who would prefer to sit in his ivory tower hiding from the world.

dsr · Post by **dsr** » Wed May 06, 2020 10:44 pm

Somethingfishy wrote: ↑
Wed May 06, 2020 9:13 pm
1. How many are going to congregate? Really? What would be the point? They cant see anything..there would be no idea from outside what was going on inside. The few that do I'm sure could easily be moved along/fined if refusing. The only difference is if there was something to celebrate like Liverpool. Even then chances are some would congregate whether there was a game on or not at Anfield when the title was clinched.

2. Why would being close together in a dressing room matter when they will all be in close proximity with each other and the other team on the pitch? Or is there to be no physical contact/tackling? Do they employ 2m on the pitch? That will be interesting...well it won't actually. They will have all been tested for the virus before playing anyway.

I still think it is an unneccessary precaution and is just giving teams like Brighton an excuse to try and void the season. Lets face it they will try any route with the trouble they are in and the fixtures they have remaining.

I didn't say I supported those reasons - just that that's what they are.

But as for part 2, when the players are in the dressing room, they will be indoors - much easier to transmit the disease indoors - and they will be continuously within 2 yards of the man next to them for a lengthy period, ten minutes or more.